Luggage item having a hatch

ABSTRACT

A luggage item with a hatch includes a first member having a first exterior surface, a second member pivotally connected to the first member, the second member having a second exterior surface, the first and second members movable between a closed position in which the first member and second member together form a substantially enclosed surface about a cavity, the first and second exterior surface together forming the exterior of the luggage item, and an open position in which the cavity is accessible from outside the luggage, an opening in the luggage item through which a user may access the cavity when the first and second members are in the closed position, and a hatch pivotally attached to the exterior, the hatch movable to cover the opening, and a latch connecting the hatch to the exterior when the hatch covers the opening.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The device and methods disclosed herein relate generally to luggage, and particularly to a luggage item having a hatch for external access to the interior of the luggage item.

BACKGROUND ART

Airplane luggage compartments can be hard on suitcases and their contents. Even carefully stacked luggage can have enough collective weight to damage fragile personal items, and irregular or hard objects sharing the compartment can create still more harm. To prevent damage to personal property, many travelers use “hard cases” or “hard shell cases” made with stiff plastic or metal exteriors that shield the contents within. This hardened construction also has the advantage of added security: if the luggage item is locked, it is difficult for a thief to penetrate it quickly enough to abscond with its contents. Even carry-on bags are increasingly constructed with some degree of rigidity, to prevent damage and theft.

Unfortunately, the very strength of such luggage items creates a new problem: for their user to access their interior generally requires opening them completely, as the rigidity of their components prevents access via a partially opened lid. This is in contrast to “soft” luggage items where the lid may be peeled back or bowed somewhat to create an opening for a user's arm. Opening a suitcase completely can be messy if the suitcase was tightly packed, and takes up an unacceptable amount of space in a crowded airport. Some users may also wish to avoid showing the contents of their suitcase to all of their fellow travelers each time they try to retrieve a small item.

Therefore, there remains a need for a secure hard luggage item that allows a user ready access to its contents.

SUMMARY

A luggage item with a hatch includes a first member having a first exterior surface, a second member pivotally connected to the first member, the second member having a second exterior surface, the first member and second member movable between a closed position in which the first member and second member together form a substantially enclosed surface about a cavity, the first exterior surface and second exterior surface together forming the exterior of the luggage item, and an open position in which the cavity is accessible from outside the luggage, an opening in the luggage item through which a user may access the cavity when the first member and second member are in the closed position, a hatch pivotally attached to the exterior, the hatch movable to cover the opening, and a latch connecting the hatch to the exterior when the hatch covers the opening.

In a related embodiment, the first member is substantially rigid. In another related embodiment, the second member is substantially rigid. In an additional embodiment, the hatch is substantially rigid. In a further embodiment, the hatch also includes a biasing means that acts to resist the attachment of the hatch to the latch. In another embodiment, the latch engages automatically when the hatch is pressed against the latch. In another embodiment still, the latch also includes a lock.

Another embodiment further includes at least one fastener fixing the first member to the second member. In another embodiment, the at least one fastener is a slide fastener. In an additional embodiment, the fastener further includes a lock. In another embodiment still, the lock secures at least one puller of the slide fastener to the exterior surface. In a further embodiment, the lock also includes at least one female element in the exterior surface, and at least one male element projecting from the at least one puller so that the at least one male element may be inserted into the at least one female elements. In yet another the male element is secured within the female element by friction. In another embodiment, the male element is secured within the female element by magnetism. An additional embodiment includes a latch that secures the puller of the at least one fastener to the exterior surface. In another embodiment the latch further includes a lock. In another embodiment, the lock is located on a part of the exterior surface that is covered by the hatch when the hatch is secured with the latch. In a further embodiment, the hatch also includes at least one barrier element that projects downward from the hatch when the hatch is in the closed position. In a related embodiment, the at least one barrier element further includes a barrier element on each side of the lock. In a further embodiment, the exterior surface also includes at least one groove, and the at least one barrier element also includes at least one tab that inserts into the at least one groove when the hatch is in the closed position.

These and other features of the present device will be presented in more detail in the following detailed description of the device and the associated figures.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The following detailed description of the disclosed device will be better understood when read in conjunction with the attached drawings. It should be understood that the invention is not limited to the precise arrangements and instrumentalities shown.

FIG. 1A is a schematic diagram illustrating a perspective view of one embodiment of a luggage item with a hatch;

FIG. 1B is a schematic diagram illustrating a top view of one embodiment of a luggage item with a hatch, with the hatch closed;

FIG. 1C is a schematic diagram illustrating a top view of one embodiment of a luggage item with a hatch, with the hatch opened;

FIG. 2A is a schematic diagram illustrating an embodiment of a zipper lock used with the luggage item;

FIG. 2B is a schematic diagram illustrating an embodiment of a zipper lock used with the luggage item; and

FIG. 2C is a schematic diagram illustrating an embodiment of a zipper lock used with the luggage item.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF SPECIFIC EMBODIMENTS

Embodiments of the disclosed luggage item permit a user to access the entire contents of the luggage rapidly without opening the luggage up entirely, even if the luggage item is a hard-shelled luggage item, by means of a hatch that may be opened at one end of the luggage. In some embodiments, the hatch may be secured closed by a locking latch. The secured hatch may also secure the luggage item itself by means of a zipper lock.

FIGS. 1A-D depict some embodiments of a luggage item 100. The luggage item 100 includes a first member 101 having a first exterior surface 102. The luggage item 100 includes a second member 103 pivotally connected to the first member 101, the second member 103 having a second exterior surface 104. The luggage item 100 may include at least one fastener 105 fixing the first member 101 to the second member 103 so that the first member 101 and second member 103 together form a substantially enclosed surface about a cavity, the first exterior surface 102 and second exterior surface 104 together forming an exterior 106 of the luggage item. The luggage item 100 includes an opening 107 in the luggage item 100 through which a user may access the cavity (visible through the opening in FIG. 1C) when the first member 101 and the second member 103 are in the closed position. The luggage item 100 includes a hatch 108 pivotally attached to the exterior 106, the hatch 108 movable to cover the opening 107. FIG. 1C shows the an embodiment of the luggage item with the hatch 108 open and the opening exposed; FIG. 1B shows an embodiment of the luggage item with the hatch 108 closed and the opening 107 covered. The luggage item 100 includes a latch 109 connecting the hatch 108 to the exterior 106 when the hatch 108 covers the opening 107.

The luggage item 100 may be any product usable for storing and transporting personal items while traveling. The luggage item 100 may be a trunk. The luggage item 100 may be a suitcase. The luggage item 100 may be a piece of hard or hard-shell luggage. The luggage item 100 may be a roller with one or more wheels; the luggage may include an extension handle (not shown) for pulling the luggage item 100 while it is rolling. The luggage item may have a size appropriate for checked luggage. The luggage item may be an appropriate size for “carry-on” luggage that is transported in the cabin of an aircraft with the user.

The first member 101 may have any shape suitable for a portion, such as the bottom or lid, of a luggage item. For instance, the first member 101 may be substantially box-shaped, forming the body of a luggage item, or one of the two box-shaped components of a clamshell-style hard suitcase. In other embodiments, the first member 101 is substantially flat, forming a lid for the luggage item 100.

The first member 101 may be constructed of any material or combination of materials useable for a luggage item. The first member 101 may be constructed in whole or in part of rigid materials. In some embodiments, the first member 101 is substantially rigid if the first member 101 exhibits only small amounts of displacement relative to the size of the first member 101 when forces typical for the operation of a luggage item 100 act against the interior or exterior surface of first member 101. For instance, if the luggage item 100 in its deployed form is set on the floor with the first member 101 on top, and a person leans on the middle of the first member 101 for support, the person may feel the first member 101 flex only slightly; in some embodiments, the person may be incapable of detecting any displacement of the first member 101 at all. The rigid materials may include metal, wood or wood products such as plywood. The rigid materials may include natural or artificial polymers such as substantially rigid plastic, including without limitation hard plastic, such as thermosetting plastics, hard thermoplastics such as polyvinyl chloride (PVC), high-density polyethylene (HDPE), polytetraflouroethylene, hard polypropylene, or polycarbonate. The rigid materials may include resins, crystalline materials, composite materials such as fiberglass, or any other substantially rigid material suitable for use in an item of luggage. The first member 101 may also include flexible materials, such as textile material or sheets of flexible polymer; for instance, flexible materials may be layered with rigid materials. The first member 101 may include one or more compartments; for instance, the first member 101 may include a compartment for a retractable extension handle. The first member 101 may have any shape conducive for use as the bottom of a luggage item. A horizontal cross-section of the first member 101 may have a perimeter that forms any regular or irregular polygonal shape, any curved shape such as a circle or oval, or any combination of curved and straight linear elements. For instance, the perimeter may be substantially rectangular in form. The substantially rectangular perimeter may have filleted corners, such as rounded corners where two edges of the substantially rectangular perimeter are connected by a circular or elliptical arc, or similar curve. The first member 101 may have an exterior surface, on which the luggage item 100 may rest when set on a flat surface.

The luggage item 100 includes a second member 103 pivotally connected to the first member 101, the second member 103 having a second exterior surface 104. The second member 103 may be composed of any materials or combination of materials suitable for the composition of the first member 101. The second member 103 may have any shape suitable for use as the shape of the first member 101. For example, in some embodiments, the first member 101 is substantially box-shaped and forms the body of the luggage item 100, while the second member 103 is substantially flat, forming a lid of the luggage item 100. In another embodiment, each of the first member 101 and the second member 103 is substantially box-shaped, and the first member 101 and second member 103 combine to form a clamshell-shaped luggage item 100.

The second member 103 is pivotally connected to the first member 101. The pivotal connection may be formed using any means suitable for pivotally joining one member of a luggage item to another member of the luggage item. For instance, the pivotal connection may include one or more hinges. The pivotal connection may be accomplished by one or more sheets of flexible material joining the first member 101 to the second member 103; the flexible material may include one or more layers of flexible material that make up the composition of each of the first member 101 and second member 103. Persons skilled in the art will be aware of many alternative methods for joining a lid to a luggage body or for joining the two portions of a clamshell luggage item together.

The luggage item 100 may include at least one fastener 105 fixing the first member 101 to the second member 103; in some embodiments, the at least one fastener 105 fixes the first member 101 to the second member 103 when the first member 101 and second member 103 are no longer free to pivot relative to each other. The at least one fastener 105 may include any fastener suitable for holding a luggage item closed. In some embodiments, the at least one fastener 105 includes a slide fastener, such as a zipper. The at least one fastener 105 may include one or more buckles. The at least one fastener 105 may include one or more clamps. The at least one fastener 105 may include one or more latches. The at least one fastener 105 may include one or more straps. The at least one fastener 105 may include one or more snaps. The at least one fastener 105 may include one or more press-fasteners such as a hook-and-loop fastener. The at least one fastener 105 may include at least one lock, which may be a combination or key lock; the lock may include a master keyhole that may be opened by security agencies.

When first member 101 and second member 103 are in the closed position, the first member 101 and second member 103 together form a substantially enclosed surface about a cavity, the first exterior surface 102 and second exterior surface 104 together forming an exterior 106 of the luggage item; the at least one fastener 105 may be fastened when the first member 101 and second member 103 are in the closed position. The cavity may be the interior of the luggage item 100; in other words, the cavity may be the substantially enclosed space in which the user puts personal items to transport them within the luggage item 100. In some embodiments, the surface about the cavity formed by the first member 101 and second member 103 is substantially enclosed when it is substantially enclosed with the exception of the opening 107 described below. Thus, in the closed position, the cavity may be accessible only through the opening 107, whereas in the open position the cavity may be more generally accessible in the manner of a typical luggage item such as a suitcase or clamshell luggage item.

The luggage item 100 includes an opening 107 in the luggage item 100 through which a user may access the cavity 106 when the at least one fastener 105 is fastened. The opening 107 may be formed in the first member 101. The opening 107 may be formed in the second member 103. The opening 107 may be formed partially in the first member 101 and partially in the second member 103.

The luggage item 100 includes a hatch 108 pivotally attached to the exterior 106, the hatch 108 movable to cover the opening 107. The hatch 108 may be a door or flap that conforms to the portion of the exterior 106 that the hatch 108 covers when the hatch 108 covers the opening. The hatch 108 may be substantially rigid. The hatch 108 may be formed from any material or combination of materials suitable for the construction of the first member 101, including polycarbonate. The hatch 108 may be pivotally attached to the exterior 106 using any pivotal attachment suitable for attaching the first member 101 to the second member 103 as described above, such as a hinge. The hatch 108 may include a biasing means that acts to resist the attachment of the hatch to the latch 109; for instance, the biasing means may be a spring with a bias that acts against the rotation of the hatch 108 toward the latch 109. In another embodiment, the biasing means is provided by the elasticity of the hatch 108 itself; for instance, the pivotal attachment of the hatch 108 to the exterior 106 may be formed so that a part of the rotation of the hatch 108 to attach to the latch 109 requires the elastic deformation of the hatch 108, occasioning a recoil force in opposition to that part of the rotation. In some embodiments, the biasing means results in the hatch 108 moving away from the latch 109 of its own accord if the latch 109 is released; for instance, the hatch 108 may “pop open” when the latch 109 is disengaged.

The luggage item 100 includes a latch 109 connecting the hatch 108 to the exterior 106 when the hatch 108 covers the opening 109; in some embodiments, when the hatch 108 covers the opening, the hatch 108 is in the closed position. The latch 109 may be any mechanism suitable for attaching the hatch 108 to the exterior 106. In some embodiments, the latch 109 engages automatically when the hatch 108 is pressed against the latch 109. The latch 109 may be released by the activation by a user of a button, lever, or slide switch. The latch 109 may include a lock; the lock may be a so-called “TSA lock.” The lock may be a combination lock or a key lock. The lock may include a master keyhole by means of which a security agency or other party in possession of a master key may open the lock.

In some embodiments where the at last one fastener 105 includes a zipper, as illustrated in FIGS. 2A-C, the luggage item 100 includes a zipper lock 200. In some embodiments, the zipper lock 200 secures the sliders 201 of the zipper so that they cannot be unzipped until the zipper lock 200 is disengaged. In some embodiments, the zipper lock 200 acts by securing the pullers 202 to an object fixed to the surface 106. For instance, the zipper lock 200 may include one or more female elements 203 or depressions in the exterior 106, and one or more male elements 204 projecting from the pullers 202, so that the male elements 204 may be inserted into the female elements 203; as long as the male elements 204 are within the female elements 203, the pullers 202 may be unable to travel along the zipper teeth. The zipper lock 200 may prevent the extraction of the male elements 204 from the female elements 203 by means of a latch; the latch may be actuated by an actuator 205 such as a button, a lever, a slide-switch, or other mechanism operable by a user. The latch may work analogously to a “TSA lock.” In other embodiments, the male elements 204 may be held in the female elements by magnetism or friction.

The zipper lock 200 may be located on the surface 106 so that the zipper lock 200 is covered by the hatch 108 when the hatch 108 is engaged with the latch 109 and covering the opening 107. In some embodiments, the hatch 108, when closed, presses against the pullers 202 when the male elements 204 are inserted in the female elements 203, so that the pullers cannot be moved vertically to extract the male elements 204 from the female elements 203. Where there is a latch securing the male elements 204 within the female elements 203, the actuator 205 of the latch may be covered by the hatch 108 when the hatch 108 is in the closed position, so that the latch cannot be disengaged by a user until the hatch 108 is disengaged from the latch 109. The hatch 108 may have one or more barrier elements 206 that project downward from the hatch 108 when the hatch 108 is in the closed position; there may be a barrier element 206 on each side of the zipper lock 200, forming walls that prevent even narrow tools from accessing the zipper lock 200 when the hatch is in the closed position. The at least one barrier element 206 may have one or more tabs 207 that insert into corresponding grooves 208 (as further illustrated for example in FIG. 1C) in the exterior 106 when the hatch 108 is in the closed position.

In some embodiments, when the zipper lock 200 is engaged, for instance by the insertion of the male elements 204 into the female elements 203, and the hatch 108 is in the closed position, covering the opening 107 and engaged to the latch 109, it is practically impossible to disengage the zipper sliders 201 or pullers 202 from the zipper lock 200, and thus to unzip the zipper. As a result, securing the hatch 108 when the zipper lock 200 is also engaged may secure the luggage item 100 as a whole, preventing any access unless the latch 109 is disengaged; where the latch 109 includes a lock, the entire luggage item 100 may thus be secured using the lock of the latch 109, provided the zipper lock 200 is engaged.

In some embodiments, the male elements are located on the exterior 106 and the female elements are located on the pullers 202; there may be a latch securing the pullers 202 over the male elements. In other embodiments, the pullers are engaged to the zipper lock 200 by other means; the sliders 201 may also be engaged to the zipper lock 200 by means other than the pullers 202. In other embodiments, the pullers 202 are secured to the exterior 106 by magnetism, adhesion, or other fasteners such as hook-and-loop fasteners or snaps.

It will be understood that the invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from the spirit or central characteristics thereof. The present examples and embodiments, therefore, are to be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive, and the invention is not to be limited to the details given herein. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A luggage item with a hatch, comprising: a first member having a first exterior surface; a second member pivotally connected to the first member, the second member having a second exterior surface, the first member and second member movable between a closed position in which the first member and second member together form a substantially enclosed surface about a cavity, the first exterior surface and second exterior surface together forming the exterior of the luggage item, and an open position in which the cavity is accessible from outside the luggage; an opening in the luggage item through which a user may access the cavity when the first member and second member are in the closed position; a hatch pivotally attached to the exterior, the hatch movable to cover the opening; and a latch connecting the hatch to the exterior when the hatch covers the opening.
 2. The luggage item of claim 1, wherein the first member is substantially rigid.
 3. The luggage item of claim 1, wherein the second member is substantially rigid.
 4. The luggage item of claim 1, wherein the hatch is substantially rigid.
 5. The luggage item of claim 1, wherein the hatch further comprises a biasing means that acts to resist the attachment of the hatch to the latch.
 6. The luggage item of claim 1, wherein the latch engages automatically when the hatch is pressed against the latch.
 7. The luggage item of claim 1, wherein the latch further comprises a lock.
 8. The luggage item of claim 1 further comprising at least one fastener fixing the first member to the second member
 9. The luggage item of claim 8, wherein the at least one fastener is a slide fastener.
 10. The luggage item of claim 9, wherein the fastener further comprises a lock.
 11. The luggage item of claim 10, wherein the lock secures at least one puller of the slide fastener to the exterior surface.
 12. The luggage item of claim 10, wherein the lock further comprises: at least one female element in the exterior surface; and at least one male element projecting from the at least one puller so that the at least one male element may be inserted into the at least one female elements.
 13. The luggage item of claim 12, wherein the male element is secured within the female element by friction.
 14. The luggage item of clam 12, wherein the male element is secured within the female element by magnetism.
 15. The luggage item of claim 10 further comprising a latch that secures the puller of the at least one fastener to the exterior surface.
 16. The luggage item of claim 15, wherein the latch further comprises a lock.
 17. The luggage item of claim 10, wherein the lock is located on a part of the exterior surface that is covered by the hatch when the hatch is secured with the latch.
 18. The luggage item of claim 17, wherein the hatch further comprises at least one barrier element that projects downward from the hatch when the hatch is in the closed position.
 19. The luggage item of claim 18, wherein the at least one barrier element further comprises a barrier element on each side of the lock.
 20. The luggage item of claim 18, wherein the exterior surface further comprises at least one groove, and wherein the at least one barrier element further comprises at least one tab that inserts into the at least one groove when the hatch is in the closed position. 